The 12 BMW R1200RT- P’s will be used to carry out various duties across the force area, such as providing escorts, event management and in Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) operations.

The new motorcycles will replace the previous fleet, which the Force took the decision to remove in 2007, following guidance from the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

Chief Insp Gill Wootton, from the Roads Policing Department, said: “In July this year we took possession of the first three of the new motorbikes and these have been in use since then. We have just taken possession of another seven and the last two will arrive in the New Year.

“The reintroduction of the motorbikes to the department has been much awaited, as it is fair to say that some of our operational duties have been impeded by not having them available and we have had to find alternative solutions during the intervening period.

“The motorbikes have many important uses. In particular, we use the motorbikes to enable our officers to engage and converse with the motorcycling community in order to promote safe riding and reduce the number of casualties from this vulnerable group of road users.

“They also help us to carry out some of our key objectives, such as denying criminals the use of the roads, supporting local neighbourhood policing initiatives and carrying out patrol duties to provide public confidence and reassurance to our communities.”